HX-FP1120 Manual Cleveland Open-Cup Flash Point Tester

Overview

The HX-FP1120 Manual Cleveland Open-Cup Flash Point Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for the determination of flash point temperatures of petroleum products, lubricants, and other combustible liquids using the standardized Cleveland Open-Cup (COC) method. Based on the principle of controlled heating and manual flame application, the device measures the lowest temperature at which vapors above a heated sample ignite momentarily when exposed to an open flame under specified atmospheric conditions. This test is critical for safety classification, transportation regulation compliance (e.g., UN TDG, IMDG Code), and quality control in refining, petrochemical manufacturing, and third-party testing laboratories. The instrument adheres strictly to GB/T 3536—China’s national implementation of ASTM D92—and supports traceable, operator-controlled execution of the open-cup procedure without automated ignition or digital ramping.

Key Features

• Robust stainless-steel cup assembly conforming to dimensional and material specifications outlined in GB/T 3536 and ASTM D92, ensuring consistent vapor space geometry and thermal mass.
• High-stability analog temperature controller with dual-sensor feedback (cup thermometer and auxiliary ambient reference), enabling precise monitoring within ±0.5 °C accuracy across the full 20–400 °C operational range.
• Manually actuated brass flame applicator mounted on adjustable pivot arm, calibrated for standardized 2–3 mm flame height and repeatable horizontal sweep trajectory per test cycle.
• Thermal insulation housing minimizes convective interference and maintains uniform heating gradient around the test cup during slow, linear升温 per GB/T 3536 Annex A requirements (typically 5–6 °C/min near expected flash point).
• Integrated safety shield with tempered glass viewport allows real-time visual observation of flash events while protecting the operator from radiant heat and incidental flame exposure.
• No embedded microprocessor or firmware—designed exclusively for manual operation, eliminating software validation overhead and supporting GLP-compliant paper-based recordkeeping.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HX-FP1120 accommodates samples with kinematic viscosities up to 150 mm²/s at 40 °C and boiling points exceeding 175 °C, making it suitable for residual fuel oils, bitumens, heavy lubricating oils, and industrial solvents. It is not intended for low-viscosity, highly volatile materials (e.g., gasoline, acetone) requiring closed-cup methods such as ASTM D56 or ISO 2719. All mechanical components—including cup, lid, thermometer well, and flame delivery system—meet dimensional tolerances defined in GB/T 3536 Clause 5 and are compatible with certified ASTM E1 specification thermometers. The unit satisfies metrological traceability requirements under CNAS-CL01 (equivalent to ISO/IEC 17025) when used with calibrated reference thermometers and documented procedural adherence.

Software & Data Management

This is a fully manual, non-digital instrument: no onboard software, firmware, data logging, or connectivity interfaces are present. Temperature readings are recorded visually from a calibrated mercury-in-glass or platinum resistance thermometer (not supplied), and all test parameters—including observed flash point, ambient barometric pressure, sample identification, operator ID, and date/time—are entered manually into laboratory notebooks or LIMS-compatible paper forms. The absence of electronic controls ensures compliance with environments where electromagnetic interference (EMI) or cybersecurity restrictions prohibit digital instrumentation. Audit trails rely entirely on handwritten SOP execution records, signed by analyst and reviewer—fully aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 “paper-based” regulatory pathways and long-standing GLP practices in legacy petroleum testing facilities.

Applications

• Flash point verification of base oils and finished lubricants prior to packaging and distribution.
• Quality assurance testing of marine fuel oils (IFO 180, IFO 380) per ISO 8217 specifications.
• Regulatory submission support for SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Section 9 data generation under GHS classification criteria.
• Educational use in university petroleum engineering labs for hands-on instruction in ASTM/GB standard methodology.
• Field-deployable testing in refinery QC labs where ruggedized, low-maintenance instrumentation is prioritized over automation.
• Interlaboratory comparison studies requiring minimal variable introduction (e.g., no algorithmic heating profiles or auto-ignition timing).

FAQ

Is the HX-FP1120 compliant with international standards beyond GB/T 3536?
Yes—it is mechanically and procedurally aligned with ASTM D92 and IP 36, enabling cross-referenced reporting in multinational technical dossiers.
Can this instrument be used for closed-cup flash point testing?
No. It is strictly configured for open-cup methodology; closed-cup tests require dedicated apparatus such as Pensky-Martens or Tag testers per ASTM D93 or ISO 2719.
What thermometer calibration documentation is required?
Users must employ thermometers certified to ASTM E1 or GB/T 514, with valid calibration certificates traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) or equivalent national metrology institutes.
Does the unit include a built-in barometer?
No. Atmospheric pressure must be measured separately using a certified aneroid or digital barometer; correction to standard pressure (101.3 kPa) is applied per GB/T 3536 Clause 10.
Is operator training included with purchase?
Spectra Invent provides a bilingual (English/Chinese) printed SOP booklet and GB/T 3536 interpretation guide; on-site technician training is available upon request at additional cost.